City Hall & Train Track, October 1967
I've recently scanned a large lot of slides from October, 1967 - a great time at the park.
First up is this very nice view of City Hall, where some folks have stopped to relax, while others have gone in to sign the guest book, asked for advice about painting their living room, and complained about a kid who had long hair. "He looked right at me!". Miss Yellow Pants was actually visible from space
Much later in the day, many people are heading for the exit as the sun started to set (even though they have hours to enjoy themselves!). We get a great view of the C.K. Holliday, stopped above the west tunnel while guests unloaded and loaded at the station.
It's hard to read, but that pink sign in the distance is for "The Happiest Millionaire", which I attempted to watch on Disney+, but could not get through. Notice the attraction posters that line the wall; I can't ID the first one (the leftmost), but I think the next one might be for "Nature's Wonderland", and then there's the Monorail, and the Frontierland river poster (Keelboats, Canoes, and Mark Twain).
23 comments:
Major-
The only question I have about the goings-on in the first image is - Is Miss. Yellow Pants 'guy pal' about to steal something from - or place a little 'treasure' into - her purse-? The mind reels.
I believe you have all the correct ID's on those attraction posters. That first one will have to remain a mystery.
Ditto on your feelings re: The Happiest Millionaire.
Thanks, Major.
My eyes! My eyes! Looking at Miss Yellow Pants, I think we're witnessing a rare occurrence of spontaneous human combustion! The lady in blue is shielding her eyes from the yellow glare, or talking on her cell. The kid on the right has a nice shirt.
This is a really nice, crisp image of City Hall.
In the next pic, I like the greenery (ivy and ferns?) blanketing the archway. The only things I can make out in the souvenir stand are strips of 35mm slides and all-day suckers.
Nanook, Mr. Guy Pal is reaching for a kleenex because the pen in his pocket protector is leaking. Or they just came from the Pharmacy and he has one of those leeches clinging to him. Or he's wearing one of the Dead Settler's 'slightly damaged' shirts.
Nice "you are there" photos today, or "we were there" in the case of the last pic (everybody's leaving). Thanks, Major.
What do you mean you tried watching "The Happiest Millionaire" but could not get through??? Oh, I know. You mean that you kept getting interrupted.....by phone calls....and people. And maybe some animals that wanted you to stop what you were doing, and feed them. Right? ;-)
I’m pretty sure that first poster is a super-rare Viewliner poster. It’s pretty well documented in online Disney literature that the lock on that particular poster case was jammed for 13 years (1957-70) and they couldn’t get it out. Fortunately, that poster didn’t fade thanks to it being out of direct sunlight, and most guests were moving too fast to notice it. The case was finally knocked open on August 6th, 1970, when Dick Nunis gave it a sharp whack with a yippee’s head. Sixty percent of the time, that will work every time.
Wouldn’t it be cool if this were the exact poster that ended up in the Major’s collection? It’s too bad his example isn’t personally signed by Bob Gurr (scroll down to the “Disneyland Viewliner 1958” section of the previous link to see an example), but I’m still jealous that he has one. It must have taken a lot of patient effort to secure that one you do have, and even with a few wrinkles and edge tears it must give you immense satisfaction knowing that it’s all yours. Thankfully, reproduction prints are now available so I can buy a copy for myself.
With the way the poster market has exploded in the past few years, I sometimes wonder if the original artists wish they were able to retain some sort of residual rights and continue to earn compensation for their hard work. I mean, if people will pay good money for a well-executed forgery, just think how much they’d pay for the real thing?
I’ve just been banned for life, haven’t I?
Chuck,
You get a pass from me. Made me laugh.
Got me thinking.....would you want the artist to sign an original print like that? Right across the front and spoiling the image?
1967 was a great time, not just at the park. Good times. I can't think of any specific memory of the park in '67, but I know I had a good time.
Great 1967 pics Major. Thanks.
Chuck, we are keeping a close eye on you…
Dr. Goat, you’re right, no specifics, just certainty of a good time.
Major, you scored with a 1967 stash! Thanks for these. I rarely look at City Hall (except for that incident about the prawns), good to be reminded how excellent is is.
JG
Nanook, the woman has a bunch of Werther’s Original candies in her purse, what man could resist? I’m OK on not being able to ID that first poster… some things were not meant to be known by man!
JB, it’s funny because I’ve noticed that 1967 seems to have been a year when certain bright colors started showing up on clothing. Certain turquoises, apple greens, reds… you’ll see them in photos of that era. I like that kid’s shirt too! I didn’t really even pay attention to the ivy on the archway, but it is a very nice look. If you’ve ever had a leaking pen, you’d want to wear a pocket protector as well. Or maybe two, just to be extra safe.
TokyoMagic!, yes, that’s what I meant! As a famous blogger, my phone never stops ringing.
Chuck, this is a blast from the past! For folks reading these comments, I told Chuck a bit about the fact that a certain person is selling copies of my Viewliner poster. Somehow I don’t mind so much if Bob Gurr makes a little money off of it, but the other person is being kind of a jerk about it. Many years ago I started seeing my stuff for sale on eBay, Etsy, and elsewhere… as far as I know, somebody is still selling prints of the Moonliner blasting off in Tomorrowland. If you read his listing, you can tell that he is a fine human being.
Chuck, not at all!
DrGoat, I would be very torn… I’ve seen people with signed copies of their souvenir wall maps, but at least those were mass-produced. I’m not sure if I would want anybody - even Bob Gurr - to sign one of my attraction posters. It’s up to the individual of course, but the thought of somebody taking a Sharpie to one of those beautiful posters makes my heart hurt.
JG, even though Walt had passed by 1967, it’s safe to say that Disneyland was still at the top of its game, so to speak. I’d take a time machine to there in a heartbeat.
It looks like there is an oil slick below the attraction posters. Either it seeped down from the trains, or the nearby dinosaurs have sent over their Primeval ooze, as at the La Brea Tar Pits.
I remember big, eye catching signs for new Disney movies at the park, flicks which mostly flopped: "Black Hole", "Return to Oz", "Black Cauldron", etc. However that also happened when Disney was alive: the Main Street Babes in Toyland exhibit didn't help the film at the box office, and "Sleeping Beauty" initially lost money despite having the Castle itself as advertising. The reverse was practiced too; I just recalled seeing "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" 50 years ago, with a 10 second 'Visit Walt Disney World' illustration before the show.
Miss Blue Dress (on the steps of City Hall) is playing wither her imaginary wireless telephone device.
Major you had sent me scans of a main gate flyer, as well as a Grad Nite '67 flyer, stating that tickets for seeing "The Happiest Millionaire" at Hollywood's Pantages Theater, were available through mail order, and were also sold at a "special booth to the left of Disneyland's regular ticket booths." The film had it's Hollywood premiere in June of 1967. I wonder if the film was still playing at the Pantages by October, and if they were still selling tickets for it at the park? Wait...I think I can read the writing within that "black bar" on that "Happiest Millionaire" poster. It reads, "Held Over For Fifth Month By Overwhelming Popular Demand!"
Major..
There's a reason why the Park was still at the top of its game in 1967. It was run by those who grew up within its ranks under Walt. For roughly another generation, it remained fairly true to his spirit. KS
Old enough to remember the era of Major Holiday Movies, especially the Big Honking Musicals. The irony was that while other studios were imitating "Mary Poppins" with outsized fantasies like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Doctor Dolittle", Disney decided to imitate such old school Broadway adaptations as "My Fair Lady". "The Happiest Millionaire" was based on a non-musical play based on a memoir.
I'd say "Happiest Millionaire", "Babes in Toyland" (Disney's version) and the musical "Doctor Dolittle" are the kind of films you have on TV in the background at a holiday gathering, during the hour or so relatives are arriving and sorting out hot dishes. "Babes in Toyland", thin as it is, screams boomer-era Disneyness in design and soundtrack. "Doctor Dolittle" is a classic big-budget dinosaur, impressively stuffed but never getting off the ground.
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" has risen in my estimation over the years as a movie you actually watch. The James Bond producers grab some of the "Mary Poppins" talent, mobilize their own production team, and mix in such contributors as writer Roald Dahl and cartoonist Rowland Emett.
Never got around to "The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band", but I keep catching the climax where opposing political parties sing at each other while awaiting election returns.
I think Mrs. Yellowpants must be the brand ambassador for Fleischmann's Margarine. One of my favorite parts of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is seeing Benny Hill outside of his usual milieu.
The Child Catcher in Chitty was, perhaps the most frightning character in a kids movie up to that time.
That guy still gives me the creeps!
I wrote a really long one...apparently lost in the ether. Speaking of ether (it does relate to City Hall!!)...there was a really big boo boo on some McDonalds promo and they were selling tickets for .09 cents or .99 cents...something like that. It was a giant deal, and we were given the dubious task of stamping regular passports with .09 or .99 with a rubber stamp with "special" ink. They gave us a stamp pad and bottle of ink. I was stamping and stamping away...and when the ink got kind of light, I would squirt more ink onto the pad and as the time past I noticed how much fun I was having, stamping and stamping and stamping and refilling lots and lots of sloppy soppy ink allllll overrrr the pllaaaaaceeeeee....hundreds of tickets, stamping and stamping...then I thought..."it is hot in here?" I feel weird! I checked the ink bottle: ETHER!!! I was totally stoned on ether! I guess ether makes ink non-forgable or something. When I discovered this of course I was laughing and laughing and rolling all over the place like a maniac. OK...I was the working Lead at the time, and here I was...a big mess in a dress...I was sent outside to breathe some fresh air and sober up. We stopped stamping. We were all stoned. Perhaps cash control should be doing this task? The ones that are actually paid to handle media. Anyway...I have many stories about City Hall. We called it something else not fit for print. It was a taxing location to work on the public end of things. Office on left: head of park ops. Office on Right: guest facing, VIP receiving, review giving, writes ups given, etc. Sometimes the VVIP's would be entertained in left office as it was a bit more Emile Kuri fancy. Our office was Victorian decor, but many functional desks and what not. This was where the very fancy REAL guest book was- where JFK, Harry Truman, Hirohito, and Dolly Parton signed. It was not for mere mortals to touch, had a fancy frilly bookmark, and a special stand in which it would go to when it was being signed. At the time I was rather non-plussed, and today I kick myself for not politely asking to touch such an item. It was kept in a glass case with other random office type things. The guest books for the plebs were down at Carefree Corner, later Card Corner, later a plush shop I am sure. Pages weren't saved. They were by state, so when the pages filled, the pages were purged. Sorry to burst anyones dream bubble that were told the pages were photographed and stored on microfilm and what not. We threw them away. I know, it's horrible, but we also tossed things like attraction posters. City Hall had a great costume: Morning Coat, cravat, waistcoat, etc. very very very tailored. They wanted that costume FITTED. The waist size probably stopped at 32 or 34. They were made for us. No food for you! The ladies wore a pretty pastel colored dress with an empire waist and pretty lace stitching. Pink and Yellow. They used them for Easter events too.
One time when I was costuming a show I got to borrow some pieces from a major university's costume shop, which was this big warehouse with racks stretching to the ceiling. Just the rack of furs was bigger than my bedroom. Anyway, I really needed tailcoats, and I finally found this huge rack of matching vintage black tailcoats, all chest size 36 or under (none of my actors were under a 38). To this day I'm wondering what show they were doing with fifty tiny chorus boys.
"I know, it's horrible, but we also tossed things like attraction posters."
I suppose the next thing you'll be telling us is that Santa Clause isn't real!
I continue (I think my other one was too long)...so offices to the right and left, information phone room in the back...along with Celebrity bathroom and the Lead desk (where my intoxication took place). Staircase was outside the building in the back- you can see it in aerial photos. I suppose it was too expensive to put inside. Or the scale interfered. Don't know. When it rained, you got wet. Upstairs were Main St. Offices, other executive offices, the fax machine (fancy) and the xerox machine (very fancy) and the coffee machine- A Bunn which was/is the best drip coffee machine ever. You picked up your paycheck here if you worked on Main Street. The nice ladies also had candies on their desks to encourage the employees to chat and interact with supervisors. Down below where the guests came in was a different place entirely- however there was a cool "D" in Disneyland font in terrazzo...or was it vinyl flooring? In any case, it was cool. There were government commendations on the wall from the Governor/President, et. al. from the 60's on. I never stopped much to really check them out. When EPCOT opened, the Disneyland cast was "gifted" a Dreamfinder model without ceremony. Overnight there was a big glass box on the wall behind the desk, with a cool model of Dreamfinder, figment and the flying contraption thing. Problem was we ALL banged our heads on it because we were always reaching under the desk for something. One time I banged my head so hard I saw stars and went into a faint mode. So they were suffocating us with ether, or bludgeoning us with a glass box of Dreamfinder. Those were the days! Lots of memories in that building. Sometimes Hostesses would bring in celebrities to say hello- it wasn't uncommon for a Tom Jones or Ozzie Osborn to go trouping through the office. Usually, they wanted to use the VIP bathroom, or the "Michael Jackson" bathroom next door. Not as fancy, but very private. There was absolutely no shennanigans to be had here!, no loud noises, no laughing, no nothing back there. As a nannigans kind of guy...I learned quickly those days were over. That building was the epicenter of the leadership of the park, and there was always a "somebody" within earshot. Everyone was watched, all the time, and with a microscope, microphone and a tape recorder (not really, but were rather held to a very high and formal form of conduct.) That front door was tricky. It had a weird kind of auto door closer. When guests got testy they quite fancied bashing through the doors with a flourish. Unfortunately, this backfired as the door would slam back in their face. There was a supervisor who always wanted these doors fixed. Until...a screaming, demeaning, horrible guest screams at them while bashing themselves on those doors. The supervisor turns to me and says "let's cancel fixing that door".
Stefano, I can’t tell if that is just a dark shadow by the posters, or if it actually is some oil that dripped down. If it IS oil, then they have a problem! Imagine it dripping on guests! I guess it’s natural to advertise the latest film at Disneyland, though as you said, it certainly did not guarantee that the film would be a hit. “Sleeping Beauty” was so expensive, that might have been one reason it did not make back its money.
TokyoMagic!, yes, I remember your long post about “The Happiest Millionaire”! I wonder if part of the failure of THM stems from the changing Hollywood scene? Maybe the big musicals were already out of favor and audiences wanted something more gritty. For all I know, The Happiest Millionaire is STILL playing at the Pantages!
KS, you are so right!
DBenson, ha ha, “Big Honking Musicals”. My mom did take me to see “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I still remember being so confused when the curtains closed just as Chitty went over a cliff. I knew nothing about the concept of an intermission! We saw “Doctor Doolittle” too, though I only remember bits and pieces, we sang the songs for a school event, so I knew the music very well. I’ve never seen “Babes in Toyland”, but the things I have heard about it have scared me away, even though Annette is adorable in everything she does. I’d be curious to see “Chitty” after so many years, I loved it when I was a child!
Melissa, too bad it wasn’t for Chiffon margarine, Mother Nature would have taken care of Miss Yellowpants!
Stu29573, oh yeah, that guy was scary!
Bu, wow, imagine getting a ticket to Disneyland for less than a dollar! I would have definitely stocked up on those (assuming that was even possible). Wow, they used ether in the ink, how odd. On the other hand, I remember how the old permanent markers used to really have a strong chemical scent, I forget WHICH chemical though. Something very toxic I have no doubt. Maybe it was xylene? I’m imagining your coworkers walking in and finding you acting like a crazy person. Hmm, what could you possibly call City Hall that is rude? Nothing comes to mind! I wonder what ever happened to that fancy guest book with all of those notable signatures? Did Jim Varney (“Ernest”) sign it? If so, it is priceless. I’ve read stories about how attraction posters were used and abused back in the day - torn up into strips to use as makeshift dustpans, for instance. Oh, the pain! Hey, maybe if I had to fit into a costume, it would compel me to stay slim and trim.
Melissa, I need a room full of furs, and a walk-in humidor. I can’t explain why there were so many tailcoats that were so tiny, except that showbiz people tend to be so conscious of their figures (theoretically)…?
and there is more...I spent 8 years in there, so I have a lot.
There were much nicer happier experiences in there too...like baskets of treats being delivered to us from Julie Andrews, or a room full of Walt Disney era execs on the night of the Candlelight procession (the office was used as a green room for the evening speaker.) That was always a very special night, and was a big deal beyond big deals for the people who worked in that building. Of course THE apartment (yes that one) was also part of this complex of offices. We sometimes had to check it when family was visiting to make sure it was tidy, and clean and didn't smell musty. I remember there was only one specific custodial employee allowed (I forget her name, but definitely one that had worked since the early years). I wouldn't go in there by myself, as magical as it may sound to be "in the presence", it was kind of creepy in the days before Eisner/Wells. All of his (W.D.) things were still in there, frozen in time, never to be touched, moved, etc. Even the towels in the bathroom which were kind of frilly fringed and pink. The bar was fully stocked with 1960's bottles...even the tonic water. They weren't from an antique store, they were still there from 1966. His slippers were under the bed/sofa. I've spoken about "smells" on this blog before, and there is a very specific scent to that apartment- not a "grandparents house" smell. Kind of Main Street Emporium + a very slight booze/nicotiney but cleaned like a hotel smell...but not with upscale cleaning products...more like Ivory soap, and Palmolive liquid, The smell of silk textiles and wool. And despite how loud and boisterous it was outside, it was very quiet. You could only hear muffled things like the guns shooting on the Jungle Cruise (which was right behind City Hall) , or the DLRR bell and the steam, and the RR announcer. When I walked past City Hall with Annette Funicello (another day/time) she looked up and said "ahhh...City Hall..so great memories in there". Of course, silly me, it didn't even occur to me to ask any probing questions. We really weren't allowed to anyway. In any case, many, many memories...and BTW: I am almost certain that is Cicely Rigdon in the blue dress on the porch. For those on here that knew her, it looks very much how she would look back in the day- even the style of dress and the pumps. Perhaps in that time many ladies looked like Cicely.
My goodness, Bu.
James Joyce has nothing on that stream-of-consciousness.
Thanks so much for those memories.
JG
Thanks for another chapter (or two, or three) of Bu in Disneyland.
Major: I assure you, for Disney boomer kids "Babes in Toyland" is way more fun than "Happiest Millionaire". Yes, "Babes" has a lame script and often cloying songs, but the cast is solid, the all-indoor sets feel like Mickey Mouse Club on a big budget, and the orchestrations have that unmistakable Disney sound. It's like going to a restaurant with barely acceptable food but flawlessly nostalgic decor.
Greenbriar Picture Shows, a swell site about movies and how they were actually presented to the public, explored how a film even Walt didn't like nevertheless went out with a humungous marketing and merchandising campaign:
https://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2006/05/walt-disneys-babes-in-toyland-walking.html
GPS has a bunch of pieces on Disney movies and shorts, including a more upbeat analysis of "Disneyland USA":
https://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com/2017/06/one-stop-vacation-for-nation.html
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